Culture shock: How a different country’s autumn traditions compare to those in the UK

As we welcome the autumn chills and falling maroon leaves, the landscape in the UK transforms into a scene straight out of painting.

What does autumn remind you of?

Warm scented candles, pumpkins, light rain and perhaps the smell of damp earth?

While the elements of autumn mentioned above spring to mind, the mesmerising full moon on the Mid-Autumn Festival symbolises harvest, prosperity, and good fortune, which means more to me as I grew up in Hong Kong. For many, autumn is always a time for family and friends to gather.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is widely celebrated in East Asia. It has varied cultural connotations, but its central theme is family, reunion, and thankfulness for the harvest. The story of Chang’e is a Chinese myth closely related to the celebration of the festival. Chang’e was the wife of Hou Yi, a heroic archer who was given an elixir of immortality by the gods. The gods granted him this elixir as a reward for shooting down nine out of ten suns and sparing people from dying from extreme heat. Chang’e was threatened by Hou Yi’s apprentice, Fengmeng, to give out the elixir to him while Hou Yi was away. She took the elixir herself rather than giving it to Fengmeng. She then flew upward, past the heavens, choosing the Moon to be her immortal residence as she loved Hou Yi and wished to live near him. The legend is commemorated yearly through moon gazing and sharing mooncakes, which symbolises the moon and family unity.

Mooncakes / Image Credit: Eat Cho Food

In Hong Kong, where I grew up, the festival is marked by meeting families and friends under the glow of lanterns and moonlight to share mooncakes (a treat filled with lotus seed paste or red bean). In my hazy memories of childhood, my cousins and I roamed the streets with brightly coloured lanterns, which were often shaped like animals or symbols of good luck, representing the hope for prosperity and the guiding light of family and friends. As I grew older, the lights gave way to pleasant evening walks with my family along the promenade, where we could take a break from the fast pace of life.

People launch Kongming lanterns for the Mid-Autumn Festival / Image Credit: The Independent

In contrast, autumn customs in the UK emphasise different festivities such as Halloween and Bonfire Night. Halloween originated in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It was a time when people believed that the line between the living and the dead was blurred, leading to the tradition of dressing up to ward off spirits.

Halloween originated in Ireland over 1000 years ago / Image Credit: Moriarty’s

In modern times, this has transformed into homes and streets decorated with pumpkins, while children dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating. Bonfire Night is observed on November 5th, commemorating the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, with bonfires and fireworks lighting up the sky as a tribute to the event. These festivals carry a sense of excitement and festivity but are less focused on the themes of family and reunion central to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Yet, when it comes to commemorating the harvest season, the two cultures share certain commonalities. Whether it is by spending time with loved ones or remembering historical events, both festivals provide an opportunity for reflection. Autumn is a time to recognise the value of custom, community, and thankfulness — whether it is celebrated with the crackle of fireworks over the British Isles or the soft glow of lanterns lighting up the streets of Hong Kong. Despite having distinct beginnings and meanings, both customs encapsulate the spirit of autumn with parties, festivities, and a strong bond between the past and present.

If you are like me and have a different cultural background than the British locals, why not share your autumnal traditions with the new friends you met at university? Engage in some UK autumn customs, giving yourself a fresh UK autumn experience.

No matter where you are from, we wish you a lovely autumn.

“Sugoi desu ne” – Abroad in Japan Review

Chris Broad, otherwise known through his YouTube channel Abroad in Japan, is a self-confessed “British Guy making videos in Japan. Officially better than Simply Red.” It’s a simple but effective tagline for Broad’s snarky, sarcastic, and above all, British humour. As of writing, his YouTube channel is approaching 3 million subscribers, nearly 3 times the population of the Yamagata prefecture Broad moved to a decade ago. The title “YouTuber” has become a bit of a stain for many, especially in Japan thanks to the escapades of Logan Paul. But Broad has a clear enthusiasm for the medium.

His videos are far exceeding the quality of most videos on the platform (although still prone to the inescapable surprised expressions on the thumbnail). A documentary on the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, detailing the effects it had on the local population near the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Disaster. 2019’s 25-minute-long documentary where Broad spent a week with one of Japan’s biggest Rockstars – Hyde – before their residency at Zepp, Tokyo. Journey Across Japan, which has now undergone several sequel series since its debut in 2018, in which Broad cycled around Japan. This is a far but exhaustive list of the premier Japan content featured on the channel. The next logical step, if any, for Broad to take would surely be a full-length documentary film right? Probably. But evidently, Broad has instead turned his hand a writing a book. And it’s a bloody good one.  

Journey Across Japan

When Broad landed in a rural town in Northern Japan, he wasn’t thinking of writing a book or even YouTube. With no knowledge of the Japanese language, a very superficial understanding of the culture and zero teaching experience, Broad had done the only logical thing after graduating. Signing up to the JET Programme to teach English in Japan. His mission was simply to avoid being the worst English teacher in Japan.

His mission started in the small town of Sakata, in the Yamagata prefecture. Here, somehow, he not only avoided being fired but navigated the culture shock and called the town home for two years. About two-thirds of the book is dedicated to delving into the three years of teaching in Sakata. Arguably, this was the most interesting part of the book, with an insight into his time before his videos. Initially, almost every month and its many weird experiences of culture shock are documented with Broad’s quintessential humour that has made him so successful online. As he becomes more acclimatised to the culture, the jumps in time from chapter to chapter grows.

Speaking of growing, towards the end of his third year teaching, Abroad in Japan was born and quickly reached adolescence. A semi-viral video of Chris teaching his Japanese friends British expletives helped demonstrate there was a life beyond teaching in Japan. And so, our unconventional titular hero leaves Sakata and devotes himself to his YouTube channel. The book charts the remaining decade of Japan.

A decade well-spent, I would argue. From the northernmost tundra of Hokkaido to its southern counterpart Kagoshima, and the remaining 45 Japanese prefectures of Japan in-between. Self-plagiarism would have been understandable if Broad had instead named this book “Journey Across Japan”. The anecdotes are endless. Full-blown virality after a dreary rant caused by being awoken with a J-Alert, warning residents of an imminent bomb from North Korea. A simultaneously laugh-out-loud and cringe-inducing experience in a love hotel. And a week spent with Japan’s most famous export – Ken Watanabe. A simplistic description of this book’s content would be “From tranquil rice field to bustling Tokyo”. But this book is more than a superficial glance at Japan. A better description of its contents would be “From neon-soaked Osaka to the perpetually varied Sendai”.

“Full Blown Virality”

Broad, in his time in Japan, has mastered translation. His fluency in the language and (a lot of) the 2,000 kanji characters is impressive. More so is his ability to translate his humour across mediums. Instantaneously, it became apparent that Broad had managed to distil his personality into every paragraph. Many of his stories are invariably funny. A speech in front of a packed auditorium confessing his love of K-Mart fried chicken. Climbing Mount Fuji overnight practically in shorts and a hoodie. Presenting a documentary film about Japan’s cat obsession. Despite the stories’ deeply personal nature, their humour is boundless respective of who or how these unique anecdotes are retold. But it is Broad’s appreciation of, and ability to find comedy in, every small detail that differentiates his videos, and this book.

Abroad in Japan is a testament to our unconventional, titular “Fried-Chicken-Addicted-Bear” hero. His endless wit and truly one-of-a-kind anecdotes are the logical hooks. But it is Broad’s genuine, personable, and respectful charisma that makes Abroad in Japan, regardless of medium, “Sugoi desu ne”.

Abroad in Japan is available at most bookstore retailing for £16.99. You can watch Chris Broad’s videos via his YouTube channel of the same name.

Abroad in Japan Book Cover. Image Credit: Transworld Publishers Ltd

Top Student Friendly European Travel Destinations

‘Cheap places to travel?’ 

These four words have been typed into my search bar at least a dozen times since beginning my year abroad. Contrary to popular belief, seeing Europe on a student budget is entirely possible, and it doesn’t have to involve staying in the worst hostels imaginable (although these places do make for good stories…) 

Before deciding where you are visiting, you need to be looking for the cheapest way of getting there. Skyscanner is my go-to for flights. It compares all airline prices in one place, but be warned, often the cheapest options are companies without glowing reviews. If possible, book directly through the airline. You can reduce your costs by travelling on weekdays, particularly Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, and by booking as far in advance as possible. Airlines such as SAS also offer youth tickets, which give students a discount on flights.

If you’re visiting a city, it is likely that they will have a transport app available to buy train or bus tickets. In my experience, it always works out cheaper, sometimes by as much as 50%, to purchase tickets via an app, and there is often a student discount available. Do your research before going and save your pennies for experiences and souvenirs.

In terms of affordable destinations, a must see is Prague. Known for its stunning gothic architecture and ridiculously cheap bars, Prague has a lot to offer students on a budget. Its Old Town Square, Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge are all free to see and admire, and you can hire pedalo boats for £10 an hour to see the city from the river Vltava. For a more in-depth exploration of the city, you can join a free walking tour, given by an experienced guide who talks (and walks) you through Prague’s interesting history. Hidden within the city’s beautiful streets is the Wallenstein Palace Gardens, a great spot to sit and relax. Lennon Wall is also a must see! You can find a bed in a central hostel for as cheap as £10 a night (use HostelWorld to compare prices). If there is a group of you travelling, you might prefer to rent an Airbnb. You can find flats close to the city centre for as little as £70 a night, split between 5 people.


Another incredible place to visit on a student budget is Budapest. I visited with 3 friends, and we found an Airbnb for £40 each (total) for 3 nights. Whether you’re booking a hostel or private accommodation, it’s worth finding somewhere with a kitchen so you can cook for yourself and reduce the costs of a dinner out. Budapest has so much to explore, from its beautiful castle to its breath-taking Parliament, and like Prague you can join a free walking tour. Whilst we were there, we took an unlimited (yes, unlimited!) prosecco cruise, and it only cost us £17. The famous ruin bars are also really reasonable and full of students and travellers.

If you’re looking for a place with culture and nightlife that won’t break your bank, Poland is definitely one to tick off your list. The capital, Warsaw, is home to a huge number of museums and is the perfect place to try amazing Polish food. Look out for places called “Bar mclenzy” (translating to milk bars), for cheap, traditional food. Gdansk and Wroclaw are also amazing Polish cities to see. Cheap trains run between them, but be sure to book in advance to avoid extra costs!

Finally, I want to talk about the Balkans. This area in south-eastern Europe offers incredible travel opportunities that cater to a student budget. Mostar, in Bosnia, is host to an infamous bridge jump which has been attracting the brave since 1664. The city is extremely affordable, and you can have dinner out for as little as 5 Euros. If you are looking to explore some historical sights, Bosnia’s capital Sarajevo is your place. In its centre, you can walk through Bascarsija (old bazaar) and admire the Sebilj Brunnen Fountain – just make sure to try a traditional Bosnian coffee whilst you’re there! If you’re looking to swim, be sure to beach hop in Himara, Albania, for turquoise water and cheap hostels. Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia, also offers stunning waterside scenery, and has extremely student friendly prices.

A Grand Day Out in Yorkshire: A Guide 

Starting my third year in Leeds, I know how easy it is to feel trapped in Hyde Park. With our busy schedules, we find ourselves never venturing further than Headingley Bakery 164. However, this year, I am determined to break out of the student bubble and explore more of Yorkshire. 

It’s amazing what some fresh air and a few sheep can do for your mental health, so I urge you to explore a bit too! With that being said, here are three towns that are well worth a visit; all less than an hour’s train ride away from Leeds. 

Credit: Flickr

1. Firstly, Knareborough is the perfect destination for a day out. A return ticket from Burley Park station for £9.80 will get you there in forty-five minutes. A must-see is Knaresborough castle; a ruined Medieval fortress standing above the town. From here, you get a spectacular view of the winding river, which is overlooked by an impressive seventeenth-century viaduct. During summer, you can rent boats for only £8! Although, it’s entertaining enough watching everyone crash into each other as they learn to row for the first time. You could also factor in a visit to Mother Shipton’s Cave and her Petrifying Well if you fancy stretching out your day trip. And as a bonus, you might even get your fortune told! However, there is plenty to see in the town itself, including independent shops, art galleries, pubs and cafes. 

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

2. Harrogate is an attractive Victorian spa town that is also worth seeing. It is only a 29-minute train ride away from Burley Park and so is perfect for a shorter afternoon out. The Royal Pump Room Museum is a beautiful building and offers a bit of history for those wanting to learn about Harrogate’s heritage. Harrogate also has a wide selection of independent shops to mooch around, with SPACE Vintage and Retro having a great selection of bric-a-brac, ranging from old DS games to vintage coats! Alternatively, my housemates and I found ourselves on an unintended café crawl on our last visit, which I would highly recommend! 

Credit: Geograph

3. Finally, Ilkley offers the opportunity for a superb Sunday day out: a hike up to Ilkley Moor followed by a hearty pub lunch. Ilkley is also easy to get to with an £8 return ticket from Leeds station. The hike up to the Cow and Calf Rocks is worth it for the scenic view over Ilkley and the rolling Yorkshire hills. Furthermore, Ilkley has a plethora of pubs to choose from to have a well-deserved Sunday roast that will put your flat’s Christmas dinner to shame. 

While Hyde Park and its aroma of stale cigarettes and old beer holds a special place in my heart, a wholesome day out is always needed after a week of lectures and one too many nights out.